F1 winner Lando Norris SLAMS 'rocket' Turn 1 manoeuvre

Lando Norris, McLaren, Miami, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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Norris SLAMS 'rocket' Turn 1 manoeuvre

The British driver had to take evasive action at lights out

By GPFans Staff.

Wednesday 8 May 2024 04:00

Lando Norris has revealed his thoughts on Sergio Perez's dramatic move into the first corner on lap one.

The eight-time second-place finisher finally broke his duck with victory at the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.

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He took advantage of a safety car to pit from the lead and emerge ahead of Max Verstappen, who had boxed just laps earlier.

The McLaren ace then weathered a short attack from the Dutchman before pulling a 7.6 second gap by the time he took the chequered flag for his maiden F1 victory.

Lando Norris won a dramatic Miami Grand Prix

Perez's lock-up caused chaos at Turn One

Norris' start hampered by Perez move

Norris started from P5, one position behind Perez and a spot ahead of Australian teammate Oscar Piastri.

The Mexican got an ideal launch when the lights went out and sent a bold lunge down the inside of both Ferrari's.

As he did so, he locked his front right tyre and almost careered into teammate Verstappen and when rejoining the track forced Norris to take evasive action.

Perez almost took out Verstappen at Turn One

Norris of course recovered from this scare to eventually win the race, but criticised Perez's move on reflection.

"It was a tricky first stint, I was stuck behind Perez. I had to get out of Perez’s way in Turn 1 because he freaking came in like a rocket!

“So I stayed in the race; that’s a good start. Just from that point on I was like, ‘Ok, it’s a long game, there's not going to be a lot of overtaking, it's going to be a race about tyre management and strategy'.

“Everyone knows that the longer you can go, the more opportunity you buy yourself with safety cars and VSCs and all of those things.

“Today was my day! Today was the day when someone was like, ‘I'm gonna throw a safety car now’, and it all worked out perfectly. Whoever that person was, I thank them, and I share my trophy and champagne with them!”

Red Bull Max Verstappen McLaren Lando Norris Sergio Perez Miami Grand Prix